After Tax Day

I'm know I haven't written in a while. I'm not sure if it's because I have too many things going on or not enough to actually write about. Either way....here I am.

As Mark stated, I have finally found my protien rhythm. One challenge down and a couple more to go. So let's get started.
First challenge...drinking enough water. I used to drink 6-8 16oz bottles of Propel a day. Now, because the taste of Propel is way too sweet, I drink plain water. It seems to go down easier for me, as long as it's pretty cold. Luke warm water? Icky ca ca! My problem is that I used to go through so much water because I gulped it. I would chug an entire bottle between the grocery store doors and my car. Now, with the sipping, the "no drinking 15 minutes prior or 30 minutes after" issues and the constant 2-3 hour feedings, it seems like most of my time is spent in the waiting period. Then when it's not in the waiting period I'm so busy at work that I forget to drink. So, while I haven't mastered it yet, I plan to by June.

Second challenge...excersice. Mark and I have been walking and are up to 1.5 miles per day. This week I started doing water aerobics (Mon, Wed & Fri) and water walking (Tues & Thurs). I did my first aerobics class today. {Funny thing about the Skagit area, if you aren't a member of a gym and want to use the public pools with their programs, it's really hard to find an aerobics class that isn't in the middle of the day. I really don't know why this would be. Don't they think people work?} Anyway...I found one at the Fidalgo Pool in Anacortes (about 2 minutes from my work). The members and instructor are all senior citizens. They are great ladies. Very fun loving and really welcomed me without hesitation. I thought (once I found out that these classes are mostly about stretching) that I wouldn't get much out of it. HA! Good Gracious, this instructor had me stretching muscles I don't think I'm supposed to have. I have no doubt that I'll benefit from this class. And on the opposite days when I'm water walking, I can work on getting my heart rate up. I think this will be a good thing. Not to mention that Mark and I will continue to walk at night.

We are looking into buying a BowFlex machine. Mark is a "research-a-holic" and found that Consumer Reports rated them #1 for home gym equipment. This, plus the fact that my very fit brother (with a body fat of about 10%) says they do a wonderful job of sculpting. And as we all know from looking at my picture, I need some sculpting.

Let's see, what else...Oh yes, the looks and comments.
Now, after loosing 43 pounds in 7 weeks, people are starting to look at me a little differently. They think something has changed, but are almost afraid to say anything just in case they are wrong and I really haven't lost weight. Those that do know make comments about how good I am looking. This comes with mixed emotions. (1) Are they being sincere? (2) Are they only complimenting me because they want something and they know this subject is close to my heart? (3) Did I really look that horrible before? I showered, wore make-up and did my hair.
I understand these are paranoid feelings. But, having been verbally abused for so many years prior to my hubby, I am not that easy to trust. I hadn't realized that learning to trust was going to be on the menu that comes with the Gastric Bypass Surgery. Can I exchange it for cake?

We will be taking measurements on Sunday the 20th and posting them soon after. So stay tuned for the next episode of Mark & Tia's Amazing Journey.